Ken Hohman

Ken Hohman asked Erik Larson:

While he wasn't one of the dual protagonists of Devil in the White City, I actually thought that the most intriguing character in the book was Frederick Law Olmsted and his approach to landscape architecture. You deserve praise simply for shining a light on his work. Did you find him as fascinating as I did? Is there a biography of him that you would recommend?

Erik Larson Olmsted was, in fact, my favorite character in the book. The man was a genius on so many levels, not least of which was his ability to craft sentences in the most mundane kinds of correspondence that were wholly original in phrasing and content. And thank you for spelling his last name correctly!

More Answered Questions

A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Erik Larson:

Have you ever found the topic for your next book while researching the one you are currently writing, or do they usually just come to you through other means?

Lisa L.

Lisa L. asked Erik Larson:

Which of your books was the most interesting to research/write?

Maureen

Maureen asked Erik Larson:

Have you ever tried your hand at fiction? Or do you feel it's too difficult for a journalist to make the switch over to fiction? (Maybe not for Fox News reporters ;-) Any advice for a short feature writer trying to make the leap over to a longer work?

All answers from Erik Larson…

69,731 followers

To ask Erik Larson a question, please sign up.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions